Woman sentenced in stabbing death

December 28, 2013

STEUBENVILLE - A woman charged with misdemeanor negligent homicide in a stabbing death in October was sentenced to 180 days in the Jefferson County jail on Friday by Municipal Court Judge Dan Spahn.

The county grand jury earlier this month indicted Sasha M. Simms, 29, of 1242 Wellesley Ave. on one count of misdemeanor negligent homicide in connection with the Oct. 27 stabbing of Edward Dehart, 30, of Mingo Junction in the chest during a dispute at her home.

Dehart was transported to Trinity Medical Center West where he was pronounced dead.

Steubenville Police reported the department was called 14 times to the home this year because of domestic disputes between the couple.

Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said Dehart had refused to leave the home during the dispute on Oct. 27. A friend had stepped between the couple when Dehart smacked Simms in the head, Hanlin said after the grand jury met. Simms had a knife in her hand and reached around the friend and swung the knife at Dehart, Hanlin said. Hanlin said Simms didn't even realize Dehart was stabbed in the chest area.

The case was bound over to the county grand jury from municipal court but was sent back to the lower court after the grand jury came back with the misdemeanor charge.

Spahn suspended 30 days of the sentence. Simms, who already has spent 61 days in jail, will have to serve an additional 89 days in the county jail.

Spahn also ordered Simms to undergo mandatory counseling, and she will be on probation for one year.